Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Newly appointed ZANU PF national political commissar, Rt Lt
General Engelbert Rugeje has sent shivers down people's spines after he warned
supporters gathered at Mawungwa Business Centre in Gutu to be mindful of the
violence unleashed onto the country after his party lost the 2008 general
elections to MDC T.

He said people should always remember 2008 as the country
hurtles towards the 2018 general elections expected within the next seven
months.

Hundreds of people were
maimed in torture camps in Masvingo, women raped and scores of people
killed in the worst election violence ever experienced in the province.

Ironically just 200 metres from where Rugeje addressed last
week's meeting was a torture base where civil servants including teachers were
subjected to all forms of punishment and humiliation and the wounds are still
fresh.

Rugeje who declared that Zanu PF will rule Zimbabwe
"kusvika madhongi amera nyanga" (until forever) also reminded
supporters of the way former President Mugabe was removed from power last
November.

People at the rally also attended by The Mirror said
although Rugeje called for unity and peace, his warnings on 2008 had a chilling
effect as some lost family members at the time.

Rugeje was speaking at an event to celebrate the return of
Pupurai Togarepi, the national youth secretary deposed at the height of Lacoste
and G40 fights within Zanu PF. The event was attended by Zanu PF chief whip
Lovemore Matuke, Masvingo provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira, Harare youth
chairman Godfrey Gomwe and other high ranking party officials.

Togarepi comes from Gutu South and is believed to be eyeing
former Minister of State for Masvingo, Paul Chimedza's Parliamentary seat.

Rugeje said he came to Masvingo in 2008 when things were
bad and he corrected the situation. Rugeje who was a serving member of the
Zimbabwe National Army at the time said he again led the party's campaigns in
the 2013 general elections and Zanu PF made a clean sweep of the 26 seats on
the table.

"We are getting towards important elections this year.
I came here in 2008 when things were bad. I don't know where Masvingo had got
this spirit and I came and sorted things out. I came back again in 2013 and led
the campaign team and I moved around the province addressing rallies and the
results were impressive and this saw the current Party president giving
Masvingo the post of political commissar. I expect you to give Zanu PF all
seats in Masvingo now that I am full time in politics," said Rugeje.

Political commentator Dr Fidelis Duri, described Rugeje`s
speech as tragic as it did not augur well for the country's new political
dispensation that seeks to restore international confidence and attract
investment to the country's ailing economy.

He said the speech gives credence to views held by sceptics
that Zimbabwe is indeed under military rule and there will be no free and fair
elections in the country this year.

"Rugeje's threats are unfortunate, in terms of foreign
policy and President Mnangagwa's appeal to local and foreign investors for
investments. Reengagement requires guarantees of a safe and secure economic and
political environment," said Dr Duri.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Professor Welshman Ncube said the
group has carried out two coups in a space of 10 years and they don't change.

"You must understand that Rugeje was the one assigned
to commit murder and torture in Masvingo min 2008 and these are the same people
who carried out a coup against Tsvangirai in 2008. It only shows the nature of
Zanu PF where a leopard never changes its spots," said Ncube.

NPP spokesperson Jeffreyson Chitando said Rugeje should not
behave in such a manner as his own relatives can also be caught in between the
violence. Masvingo Mirror